However, they each claim their aircraft is more agile a crucial consideration when landing troops in tight spaces or ducking behind hills and trees to hide from radar. Whichever helicopter becomes the Armys choice for the FARA role will be powered by a single engine, which is General Electrics T901. When the compound helicopter is hovering, the rotors on top get most of the engine power and do most of the work, much like a traditional helicopter. X2Technology helicopters will affect passenger travel due to substantiallyreduced flight times. Starting with the experimental XV-15 in the 1970s, and entering military service with the V-22 in 2007, Bell has led the industry in building tilt-rotors, winged aircraft with rotors that, well, tilt. Its significantly smaller than Defiant.. XH-59A (S-69) Altitude Airspeed Envelope, Isometric Drawing by Andy Whyte of the Proposed XH-59B, Timeline of the Sikorsky Aircraft Company, Sikorsky Aircraft Paintings by Andy Whyte. Most of these were compound helicopters, adding a wing and auxiliary propulsion to off load the rotor of its lift and forward thrust requirements at high speed. However, UnitedTechnologies Corp. subsidiary Sikorsky Aircraft, the oldest name in helicoptermanufacturing, is working to change that by developing a helicopter that willfly almost as fast as a conventional aircraft ? Photo courtesy Sikorsky and Boeing. The subject of this newsletter is in response to an archive members question, How Are Sikorsky Helicopters Named?. Sikorskys production rotor blades at that time had spars made from constant-section extruded aluminum. Huntsville now has a simulation. k k k First Flights 35. positions. The S-97 prototypes, Sikorsky has said, will go beyond the X2 aircraft in several ways, demonstrating precision maneuvers in low flight speed, high G turning maneuvers at over 200 knots, and hot-day hover performance at altitudes up to 10,000 feet. How many satellites can we safely fit in Earth orbit? If this scout helicopter sounds similar in design to another from Sikorsky, thats because it is. With faster speeds, you get less lift capacity unless you want to pay more. Sikorsky and Boeing are protesting the Armys decision to award a lucrative defense contract to replace the services Black Hawk helicopters with a tiltrotor aircraft manufactured by Bell Textron. Missions Armed reconnaissance Length 37ft Width 16ft Rotor Diameter 34ft Speed 220k Expand Sikorsky's compound-helicopter experiments also started in the 1970s with the experimental XH-59, . This design delivers that, plus incredible speed. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. Bring back the COMANCHE ! "Sikorsky will begin ground testing shortly and is on track for first flight this year," Steve Engebretson, Sikorsky's director of advanced military programs, said in an emailed statement. The Army plans to publish new requirements for the helicopter by 2021 based upon data gathered and lessons learned through ongoing experiments,weapons developmentand test flights, the report added. When vertical, they act like giant propellers, allowing fast and fuel-efficient flight with no risk of retreating blade stall (because of the angle at which they meet the air). Both helicopters, Raider and Defiant, have similar design elements: two counter-rotating top rotors, and a propeller in back. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. But that unconventional rotor placement will help drive the S-97's exceptional speed. The two main rotors of the S-97 are coaxial, and they rotate in opposite directions, driving both lift and forward flight. In high speed flight the XH-59A handled as though it were a fixed wing aircraft. (Bells partner on the V-22, Boeing, switched sides on FVL). Despite all the differences, the fundamental selling points for both designs are speed and range. In phase 2, a simulated fuselage was fabricated and subjected to ballistics testing. Sikorsky was experimenting with a compound helicopter, the S-61F/NH-3, using an S-61/H-3 airframe. All rights reserved. The S-97 will be much faster than conventional helicopters, with a cruising speed of up to 220 knots, or 253 mph, according to Sikorsky. The first was a two place reconnaissance vehicle, the AARV Aerial Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle proposed as a follow-on to the Armys light observation helicopters then in production, the Hughes OH-6A and the Bell OH-58A. As a result, the control system was designed with a very low gain to prevent the controls from being too sensitive. In 1967 Sikorsky investigated new light-weight dual-hardness aircraft armor. But in this configuration and design - they are. [Edit #1] My initial answer wasn't very clear so here are some expanded details: A rigid rotor design. NY 10036. Manually foldable composite rotor blades, using Boeing VR-7 and VR-8 aerofoils with cambered leading-edges. CSSCustPortalSuppt@sikorsky.com. The purpose of the aft blades is to provide acounterforce to the torque effect on the fuselage created by the spinning maindisc. The rotors of the S-97 are designed based on the "Advancing Blade Concept"only the blades moving forward are pitched, while retreating blades are "unloaded" to reduce drag. The XH-59A exhibited excellent handling qualities. Thursday, December 29, 2022, The Front Page Podcast: Pumping the Brakes, NEW: Its not polite to pretend boys can be girls, SCOTUS takes on Bidens student debt agenda, Click The blades were coned up at 3. At this time, the effort was on developing the concept with no specific mission identified. ?Customers aredemanding greater speed but without sacrificing any of the unique capabilitiesthat make helicopters theideal platform for countless civil and military missions.? Tail Rotors. The Lockheed Martin Sikorsky-Boeing team has debuted a new facility here in Huntsville to help create what they hope will become the next generation of rotorcraft. To overcome these shortcomings, in 1982 Sikorsky submitted an unsolicited proposal to the Army for extensive modification of the aircraft into the XH-59B configuration. Presented at the 37th AHS Annual Forum, New Orleans, LA, May, 1981. Answer (1 of 2): Contra-rotating Coaxial Rotors do cancel out one "speed limit" of helicopters, but needs help to overcome the second "speed limit". Sikorskyis developing plans to design and build a civilian X2 Technology helicopterthat would satisfy operators? Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. Parent type: No type defined Aircraft status: No longer flying . (203) 386-6086Fax: (203) 386-7300Web site: . Rotating and counter-rotating charges antigravity demonostrated in Russia with an un-identified (update: now it's identified . After a number of false starts over the next four years, a manufacturing method was developed that used a 17 foot 6AL-4V titanium extrusion which was machined both inside and out to produce tapered diameter and wall thickness. For example, flights between Bridgeport, Conn. and JFK Airport in New York City would be decreased from 40 minutes to 25 minutes.Also, X2 Technology medevachelicopters would be able to transport people in critical condition tohospitals in significantly less time, potentially saving lives. The rotor diameter would grow to 40 feet, the same size as the ABC rotor being tested at the time in the NASA Ames wind tunnel. The tilt-rotor has two counter-rotating main rotors or propellers that are mounted on engine nacelles at the ends of a short wing. Sikorsky Aircraft (now owned by Lockheed Martin) was founded in 1923 and has created helicopters for civilian and military use since 1939. categorized as rotary-wing aircraft ? That depends on who you believe and what the mission is. Sign up to receive Popular Science's emails and get the highlights. This had been used successfully on most coaxial helicopters in the past. The demonstrated agility, stability, and increased speed would provide tactical flight crews with additional capabilities to fight and win on the modern battlefield. The team gave the aircraft the best rating possible for hover out-of-ground-effect (HOGE) handling qualities. This would be great for turbulant rescues, say at sea. But the mission is not simply to fly long distances. Both companies agree that the Bell V-280 Valor, which has wings, is more fuel-efficient in long-range flight than the Sikorsky-Boeing SB>1 Defiant, which just has rotors. It's also a more complex beast than a traditional single-rotor configuration. The SB>1 Defiant is a joint multi-role medium-class Future Vertical Lift technology demonstrator built around Sikorsky's X2 platform, which uses two counter-rotating rigid blades on the top of the aircraft to eliminate the retreating blade stall problem that puts a ~150 mph (~240 kmh) speed limit on helicopters with a single top rotor. : The Future Vertical Lift program aims to create revolutionary replacements for todays military helicopters. It also negates the need for a regular tail rotor, as yaw can be managed using just the top rotors. About the develemental phase when you already have a proven concept, insane. Click Some balance is needed in order to keep the machine stable--usually either another, counter-rotating rotor or a small vertically-mounted tail rotor. When they showed footage of it in a high speed run and posted the numbers, you knew it was the future. And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com. Sikorsky's candidate features coaxial top rotors: The two large rotors on top of the helicopter, which give it lift, spin in opposite directions, negating the need for a traditional tail rotor.. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Pitch change was accomplished with conventional stack bearings. Those high speeds for the X2 and S-97 stem from a combination of next-generation technology, a streamlined fuselage and, most dramatically, a striking reconfiguration of the standard rotor setup for a helicopter -- two stacked main rotors and a pusher propeller at the tail. Sikorskys SB Defiant, which recently took a demo flight at a Sikorsky range in West Palm Beach Florida before the Armys Chief of Staff, has reportedly hit speeds of 250 knots, more than twice that of a current Black Hawk. My team strives to advance aircraft engine capability through prioritization, definition, and execution of technology maturation programs. And civilian uses are already being considered. In effect, he said, "the rotor . Sikorsky S-61 series solved several problems in helicopters of the day. Unlike most helicopters, Sikorsky's bid uses two counter-rotating coaxial main rotors and a pusher propeller that the company says will allow for quicker acceleration and deceleration. 1.1. He could be considered the most important person in the helicopter design. This was a major breakthrough in helicopter technology. This had the integrated propulsion system with twin General Electric T700-GE-700 engines driving both the rotor system and a ducted pusher propeller. To replace the Armys current Black Hawk transports, an aircraft needs to be able to land quickly in tight spaces under fire, drop troops, and then take off again ideally flying backwards so it doesnt have to wait to turn around. We are testing the limitsand pioneering this exciting innovation.". Updated 4:55 pm to clarify Richard Aboulafias remarks on Army preferences. The empennage was an inverted V to keep it under the rotor and minimize aircraft size. Sikorsky's helicopters featured a sophisticated design which outperformed other manufacturers. 1939: Igor Ivanovitch Sikorsky built the helicopter VS-300 which flew in May 13, 1940. This was phased out at speeds from 40 to 80 knots and yaw control was provided by rudders. ?The X2Technology Demonstrator is an integrated suite of technologies intended toadvance the state-of-the-art, counter-rotating coaxial rotor helicopter. The hubs spin in opposite directions, whicheliminates the torque effect. So which systems better? At the aircrafts nose is a simulated weapona 3D-printed substitute for the actual 20mm cannon that would someday hang from under the aircraft in the same spot. In a separate project, Sikorsky is working with Boeing on an X2-based helicopter called the SB-1 Defiant in a precursor program to the the Army-led Future Vertical Lift initiative, which aims to find a next-generation medium-lift helicopter for use across all the military branches. First came the superfast X2 helicopter. While it did not crash, it did tip over as it sat idling on the heliport atop the Pan Am Building (now the MetLife . Aircraft #1 was rebuilt for wind tunnel testing, but was not returned to flight status. Contact the author here. The Bell-Boeing V-22s now in service, for example, cruise comfortably at 270 knots, about 310 miles per hour, with a mission radius of 428 nautical miles, about 490 miles (and that, of course, is without being refueled). First, like some conventional helicopters, especially Russian designs, a compound helicopter has two coaxial rotors on top that rotate in opposite directions (counter-rotation). X2Technology aircraft will take-off and land vertically, hover, maneuver at lowspeeds, and transition from hover to forward flight like regular helicopters. Want the latest defense industry news? Boeing said it supports the protest filed by its partner. The FVL competitors havent flown yet, but the Bell V-280 is designed to go 280 knots (320 mph), while the Sikorsky-Boeing SB>1 is derived from the Collier Trophy-winning X2 demonstrator, which reached 250 knots (287 mph). Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories? Two three-blade intermeshing contra-rotating tandem rotors, fully-articulated, all bearings submerged in oil. The counter-rotating blades are engineered toreduce high-speed vibrations, steady the aircraft and best optimize massive amounts of thrust coming from a pusher prop mechanism in the rear of the aircraft. Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Counter-rotating rotor system with stationary standpipe US20150139799A1 (en) * 2013-11-15: 2015-05-21: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation . To date, the Sikorsky X2 has been developed into two main helicopters: Boeing-Sikorsky SB-1 Defiant and Sikorsky S-97 Raider. The rotor system is typically of the fully-articulated design. Rotor vibration characteristics were acknowledged at the end of the test program as being too high for a production vehicle. Loz has been one of our most versatile contributors since 2007, and has since proven himself as a photographer, videographer, presenter, producer and podcast engineer, as well as a senior features writer. First look at ultra-fast Sikorsky/Boeing SB>1 Defiant dual-rotor helicopter, The Sikorsky/Boeing SB>1 Defiant is our first look at the Future Vertical Lift project that will enter US Army service in the 2030s, With counter-rotating blades at the top, the SB>1 Defiant blasts through the helicopter speed limit imposed by retreating blade stall on single-rotor helicopters, Sikorsky - Boeing Future Vertical Lift: The Way Forward. Sikorsky hopes the X2 will fly. They also closed multiple facilities, moving commercial products to PA. Modern Era Although thetop speed of helicopters has not increased much since the 1960s, improvementsin computers, materials, navigation systems, and other aspects of aircraftduring the past two generations have been unprecedented. That counter-rotation has the benefit of balancing out the torque and evening the lift from the long and rigid spinning blades. Presented at the 60th AHS Annual Forum, Baltimore, MD, June, 2004. The testing of the full-scale ABC rotor system in the NASA Ames wind tunnel in 1970 was very successful, and the Army and the company decided that a high-speed research aircraft, evaluating the ABCs speed potential, was more productive. The first flight for that program is expected in 2017. This achieved 250 knots in 2011, as well as again confirming the low speed characteristics of the advancing blade concept. The Drive reports that that FLRAA decision could happen in September. To replace the Apache gunships, an aircraft needs to fly low and slow over the battlefield, ducking behind cover when enemy anti-aircraft units appear, then popping up again to fire guns and missiles. Primarily the advantages were compactness and the elimination of the tail rotor; no thought or capability of using advancing blade lift was considered in these designs. One month later the first XH-59A aircraft experienced a low speed accident on the flight field. And why? Also, some of the symmetry of the counter rotating blades, closelymirroring each otherin shape and size, will decrease turbulence and therefore improve the airflow and stability of flight. "Extensivetest instrumentation is also being installed as preparation for its firstflight.". Designed to help the U.S. and allies leverage emerging technologies to create a resilient multi-domain network. The XH-59B program was not funded. Sign up for the Breaking Defense newsletter. The fastest Army helicopter in widespread service, the CH-47F Chinook, maxes out at about 170 knots, which is 195 miles per hour, and has an effective reach (mission radius) of 200 nautical miles, or 230 statute miles. In these tests the armor plate was dented but not penetrated from shots of 30-cal ball at zero range and 50-cal weapons at longer ranges. Delivered on weekdays. The SB>1 Defiant uses a pusher prop at the rear, along with active rudders and elevators. Concurrently, Sikorsky was in the early stages of developing the Advancing Blade Concept (ABC) for extending the speed range of helicopters. The aircraft accomplished virtually all of its technical objectives. It never went beyond the concept stage. The cockpit will seat two pilots side-by-side, and the cabin behind them will fit six combat-equipped soldiers. Nevertheless, the progress of the VS-300 earned Sikorsky Aircraft a . On a tour of the Stratford plant on Wednesday, a Sikorsky executive called the HH-60W Jolly Green II the most advanced combat helicopter ever produced by Sikorsky, with a range of defensive. There was much concern about the extremely high control power that the rotor could develop. His last day in his office at the Stratford plant of Sikorsky Aircraft was the day before Jul 29, 1973 : S-69 ABC (XH-59) The ABC (Advancing Blade Concept) was designed to prove the viability of two counter rotating main rotors on a common axis as a means of achieving higher speeds and better agility By the 1960s the Russians had a coaxial helicopter in production. Sikorsky was experimenting with a compound helicopter, the S-61F/NH-3, using an S-61/H-3 airframe. It's not every day you see a helicopter that looks like this. I recently coordinated engineering efforts for the Future . We remain confident Defiant X is the transformational aircraft the Army requires to accomplish its complex missions today and well into the future, Sikorsky said in its protest. The advancing blade concept had been shown in a textbook in the 1930s, but the structural requirements for the blades were well beyond the technology of the day. With these rigid rotors, the lack of a tail rotor, and the use of a separate auxiliary propulsion system, the controls were almost perfectly orthogonal. Last month, the Army saw its final class of eight aviators complete Kiowa flight training at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Although designed in to the gearbox, this feature was not found to be required during the development flight test program. +1 (202) 740-5997 Spice up your small talk with the latest tech news, products and reviews. Contour flight handling qualities revealed the XH-59A is capable of crossing terrain in high speed (215 knots) contour flight, thus reducing the reaction time available to the enemy targets and defenses. Nothing political here. Built to thrive on the modern battlefield, including shipboard operations, the CH-53K aircraft is designed to be intelligent, reliable, low maintenance and survivable in the most austere and remote forward operating bases. That cannon is attached to a turret. Sikorsky planned to offer it for the United States Army 's Armed Aerial Scout program, along with other possible uses. One of the unique features of the XH-59A gearbox was an ability to create differential rotor speed, which would provide yawing moments which did not reverse in autorotation. The SB Defiant uses an interesting, counter-rotating dual blade technology known as a compoundconfiguration. And while the two companies are going head-to-head in the FARA program, with the Raider X pitted against the 360 Invictus, they are also competing in the aforementioned FLRAA program, with the Defiant X up against the V-280 Valor. The X2 Technology Demonstrator has a coaxial rotor system comprised oftwo hubs with blades attached. The S-61 Sikorsky series began development in 1950 and went into service in 1961. ?Weinitiated X2 Technology convinced that the most productive and flexiblehelicopter is a helicopter which is capable of a significant increase in speed,?said Stephen Finger, then-president of Sikorsky Aircraft. It was one of a number of concepts initially considered for the UTTAS (later Black Hawk).